A Quick Guide To Lighting Your Living Room

Getting the lighting right in your living room can completely transform the space, and it really does affect the whole look and feel of the room.

We spend a lot of time in our living rooms, but it can be tricky to strike a balance when it comes to lighting because the room can serve several different purposes.

With this in mind, in this guide we will run you through our best hints and tips for getting your lighting spot on.

Room function

You will no doubt be using your living room as a place to entertain guests, watch TV, read books, or perhaps do work, so it’s important that you have a range of different lighting options to suit the various functions.

Different types of lighting

Accent

Accent lighting is used to highlight a room feature. For example, you might have a display cabinet with under shelf lighting to highlight certain objects. Or perhaps you have a favourite painting and a recessed ceiling light above.

Accent lighting works best when it supplies more light to the focal point than to the surrounding area.

Task

Task lighting is similar to accent lighting in that it is directed light, but in this case, it is used to help you get things done in your living room.

For example, a desk lamp to help you work, or a table lamp to help you read. The positioning of this type of lighting is important, and these are not lights that you use all the time.

Decorative

Decorative lighting is used to add interest to the room. These type of lights are used to personalise the space, so think chandeliers or a cosy table lamp you really love.

Ambient light provides the general lighting for the room and controls glare from other light sources. The type of ambient lighting you go for will depend on your room, colour scheme, and the atmosphere you are trying to create.

For example, you may wish to make the room feel cosy by using warm lighting, or perhaps if your style is very modern you might want to use whiter lighting to really brighten the space.

This guide from Houzz gives plenty of information on things to think about when getting the ambient lighting just right.

Things to consider

Some living rooms do not have ceiling fittings, but an overhead light can really help create a focus in the space. An alternative is to use an angled spotlight, or a large floor lamp that arcs.

Try to think carefully about the positioning of your lighting. For example, try to avoid causing glare on your television.

When done right, living room lighting can create an inviting space that perfectly fits your home and your personality, so we hope that these tips have given you some points of consideration to help you achieve your dream living room!